Language barrier

[PotatoHolic]

Hi I have inherited a new member of staff in a TUPE
English is a second language. They have a VERY heavy accent from their country of origin and I'm struggling to understand them. I discovered yesterday that they also don't read English very well and it's important to the role as their are a lot of forms and I will also be installing more tech soon.

They are not performing to the same standard of the rest of the the team so I want to initiate a performance improvement plan. I have no idea if I can mention the language issue though?
What would be reasonably expected from me to support them to do their job?
I'm a small business with a small profit margin

[PotatoHolic]

Bump

[Heratnumber7]

If the job description says good verbal skills in English required, written and oral, then you're ok. (Most office e jobs do)
Is the lack of English a safety issue?
How did this person manage in Previous role?

[PotatoHolic]

My job description does. It's the TUPE part that worries me.

They were unmanaged... it's an outsourced role. That's why I won the tender. I've a remit to improve the situation, I want to do my best by the existing team but it's already caused issues

[PotatoHolic]

There was no info handed over from the previous company. The client sacked the company and tried to run it in house. That didn't work and then I won the contract. No TUPE process was followed at all but I'm trying to respect the conditions at my end

[Heratnumber7]

I would say a lack of language is a H&S issue at the very least. How much communicating needs to be done in the role? Can you suggest night classes and give the person say 6 months to show an improvement?

[PotatoHolic]

Hi thank you for replies
Suggesting classes leaves the ball in their court so could work. There's little in terms of reasonable adjustments I can make. Understanding and being understood is vital I would say.

Sorry being vague. Don't want to out myself